Crystal Fighters | Larimer Lounge | June 12

June 13, 2013 Castro

Crystal Fighters (Photo Credit: Robert Castro)

Let me start by saying that I’m quite the critic when it comes to anything in the genre of “dance band.” They are typically not so hot live.

When it came to Crystal Fighters at the Larimer Lounge last night, this was definitely not the case. The lights dimmed and raucous vuvuzelas and other tribal instruments celestially settled over the crowd. The drums shook the entire Lounge as guitar player Graham Dickson entered the stage. He was followed by drummer Andrea Marongiu and multi-talented music man Gilbert Vierich. They soloed a stellar opening for the three vocalists, Sebastian Pringle, Eleanor Fletcher, and Laure Stockley, to make their debut. All eyes penetrated Seb as he sparkled in an interesting sequined ensemble.

The crowd went wild.

“San Francisco” obliterated the crowd with poppy, off-beat txalaparta – throwing everyone into a massive boogie. “Champion Sound” rolled in and the fans mirrored the mesmeric vocals. Glitter and sweat. Everywhere.

They then rocked my personal favorite song – “LA Calling,” an alternative dance song that reminds me of Vampire Weekend a bit. “It’s cold as cash – it’s hot as lust.” Speaking of hot as lust, Graham was a sweaty and captivating mess as he played the high energy tune. The energy continued to dilate through the room. Later, when “You & I” was played, all of Larimer was singing along. I’m pretty sure even the hard ass who drew the X’s on my hands was giddily singing. A massively positive response greeted the romantic tune.

“I Do This Everyday” offered a fast-paced, heated drum-ridden rhythm for the fans to lose their mind to. Individuality roared . Next, the crowd felt the red thread of connection as the band played “Wave.”

We love you too (Photo Credit: Robert Castro)

The infectious radioactivity that is Crystal Fighters was completely evident last night.

Multi-dimensional, the band also has a darker side. After Graham proclaimed, “This is real. The past is an illusion, and so is the future,” the band slowed it down with “Swallow.” The song, all about overcoming obstacles, induced a swell-up of emotions from the crowd. Fletcher and Stockley wailed like angels in a perfect compliment to the convalescent jam. It was like a dream.

“Love Natural” accompanied the scene for couples straight out of an H&M magazine to melt into one another underneath the delicate lights of the Larimer Lounge. “In the Summer” pulsed the spectators into song and dance. During “At Home,” Graham jumped (rather stumbled) down into the crowd. Whether it was deliberate or not, nobody cares. It was extremely awesome. The audience was left with a racing heart rate and a natural high.

At this point, the show was over. At least until the crowd began to scream “uno mas,” in accordance with the band’s Spanish inspiration. Crystal Fighters came back out to the stage and relished in their triumph. They played “I Love London” and “Xtatic Truth.” What is the truth? The truth is that Crystal Fighters will have men and women alike throwing panties and flailing around like an animal. There’s nothing this music makes you want to do more than unleash your wild side.

Taking it to the crowd. (Photo Credit: Robert Castro)

Post-concert, the Spanish jubilee marked the face of every patron. We all smiled and looked at one another. Crystal Fighters surprised and entertained beyond my wildest imagination.

It was out of body. It was ethereal. It was everything that Laure’s grandfather ever dreamed.

If I had a fifth limb, I’d throw it in there too – but fingers and toes up – Autumn Bea absolutely adored this show.

Catch them in a town near you before they teleport back to the magical dimension that they came from. “Rave in the Cave,” my friends. “Rave in the Cave.”

Feel free to shoot me an e-mail and let me know what you think of Crystal Fighters at autumn@ultra5280.com.

PS: Their opener, Alpine, was an Australian indie-rock band with lapses of honeyed harmonies and sexy synth funk melodies. If you know what’s good for you, you’ll get these ladies and gents on your radar… like… now.

Autumn